On the other hand, lines of only two or three words each are generally tiresome, though they may be allowed in special cases of _fine writing_ (see p. 262), where it is less necessary to economise space or time, and the effect of an even mass is not desired. But in any case where there is an attempt to make the right-hand edge of the text approximately even, at least four or five words to the line are necessary; the scribe may therefore take four words per line as his ordinary _minimum_.
We may say generally, then, that _an ordinary manuscript book should contain between four and eight words (or between 25 and 50 letter-spaces) to the line_. [p108]
The exact size of the writing allowed in a given case may be found by a process of guess and trial, but this is seldom necessary for the practical scribe who uses regular sizes for regular occasions.
_The line spacing._--The size of the letter determines approximately the distance apart of the writing-lines (see pp. 79, 327). Much depends on whether the _ascending_ and _descending_ letters are long or short (see fig. 154).
_The number of writing-lines to the page_ equals the number of times that the _line-space_ is contained in the _text-column_ (_i.e._ the height of the page less the top and foot margins)--allowing for the top line not requiring a full space (see fig. 71). Any fractional space left over may be added to the foot margin, or, if nearly equal to one line-space, a little may be taken from the margins to complete it.
_The Large Capitals_ are commonly _one_, _two_, or _more_ of the line-spaces in height (fig. 71, & p. 128).
Having folded and cut the large sheet of paper into small (book) sheets of the size determined on, take one of these as a pattern and rule it throughout as if it were to be used in the book.
The ruling stylus has a blunt point, which indents the paper, but does not scratch it. A stout pin bent to a claw shape and held in a piece of wood does very well (fig. 72). [p109]
Under the writing paper there should be a "pad" of ordinary paper (or blotting paper).
The marginal lines are ruled from head to foot of each leaf (_a_, fig. 73). Besides being a guide for the writing, they give an appearance of straightness and strength to the written page.[22]
